Dear Nazza,

An Eastern Indigo requires a minimum of two months to lay eggs after successfully mating. During mating season, the earlier they mate, the longer the time between mating and laying. A female mated in mid February (very late) will lay in mid April (two month gestation). Conversely, a female mated in mid September will lay in mid February (five month gestation).

Regardless of when they mate, it will be between 16 days and 22 days following the prelay shed that the eggs are laid. Mean time is 18 days. The prelay shed seems to be longer in duration than typical sheds, and the females frequently refuse to eat before and after the prelay shed. Don't feed a female after 12 days following the prelay shed. The food may hang up the eggs, and the eggs may hang up the food.

Starting at 16 days after prelay shed, if the female is in the egg box, and is not coming out, she should lay her eggs within 2 days. If not, she may be in trouble. If you see her after 2 days inside the egg box, sometimes with the front of her body out, flat against the ground, looking exhausted, and there are no eggs, she is probably in trouble. An indigo can die very quickly if the eggs are not laid.

Incubation time depends on temperature to some degree (pun not intended), but is typically 90 to 100 days.

I hope it has all worked out for you. E-mail me directly if you are having any urgent problems.

Robert Bruce.

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